Donald Anthony Exner passed away July 16. Don was born Jan. 22, 1938 in Edgeley, ND, the third of 11 children born to Bernard and Rose (Schlosser) Exner. As a young child, his family moved to a farm in Jamestown, ND, where he was raised.
Don graduated from St. John’s Academy High School in Jamestown and attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., graduating in 1960.
Don married Sheila Toner in St. Paul, MN, in 1965. He and Sheila raised four children: Mike, Pat, Susie and Brian.
Service to others was core to who he was. Don was on the formation committee of the St. Pat’s Holy Spirit Pantry and on the committee that started the Farmer’s Market. He was Grand Knight of KC’s Council 1211 and was a mentor in the TeamMates Mentoring Program, meeting with the same mentee weekly for 10 years. He and Sheila provided a home for numerous foster children over nearly two decades. He served in the North Dakota, Minnesota, then Iowa National Guards for a total of six years.
Don worked as a store manager for Woolworth, then did construction work, during which he fell off a roof and became disabled. He continued to do as much as he could and maintained a good attitude.
He enjoyed playing cards, puzzling and paint by numbers, but enjoyed nothing more than being a grandfather.
Don is survived by his wife, Sheila; sons Mike (Julie), Patrick (Marilou), Brian; daughter Susie; grandchildren Henry, Dima and Ellie Exner and Sam Van Blaircom; siblings Dalene Happ, Yvonne (Don) Bonderson, Alvin (Tiny), John (Cathy), Rose Ann Fehr, Bernie (Raf) Fornais, Tony (Cheri), Terry (Sharon), Tim (Nancy); and 40 nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by infant son David and angel baby Exner; his parents; and brother Gene.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Adams-Swanson Funeral Home. A rosary will be said at 9:30 a.m. and a funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 19, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Memorial donations can be made to North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment or the charity of your choice.